How may I prevent ingrown hairs, which often lead to cyst formations, on the face?

For what it’s worth, I’ve pretty healthy facial skin. However, over the last year or so, I’ve developed ingrown hairs, usually on my right and left jawline, that have lead to irritations and cysts.

I’ve had one removed-a small, plastic-surgery necessitating chunk of my face-and another two (fingers crossed) pulled before they could develop into cysts.

The plastic surgeon suggests not shaving so close, or letting my beard grow. While I’d love to sport a sweet beard, it comes in sparse and I look…well, not great. I prefer to shave.

Perhaps an electric razor would work. Maybe the razors I’m using aren’t sharp enough (I have been a bit cheap in buying new ones for some time now…but that seems counterintuitive, given that if they didn’t cut so well, it wouldn’t be under the skin, perhaps leading to ingrowns in the first place.

Sigh. This is frustrating, and my health insurance is running out, so getting them removed will be difficult, if they grow to cysts.

Help!

Thanks, Flutherites.